This week marks the official beginning of the Jim Caldwell era for the Detroit Lions with the start of the offseason workout program.

The first two weeks are devoted to strength and conditioning and then a minicamp is set for April 22-24.

While the draft is still a month away, here are five looming questions for the Lions:

1. How will new coaching staff make an early impact?

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Lay out the goals and move on from there. There is no five-year plan. The goal is to hit the ground running and win. No excuses. Coach Jim Caldwell appears to be a good communicator so getting his message out should be easy. It won’t be just a one-time, behind-the-podium speech. The message will be sent daily. Those who have been around should embrace Caldwell, newcomers too.

2. Who will step up in leadership roles with Louis Delmas, Nate Burleson and Rashean Mathis gone?

So much yet to be determined. Calvin Johnson is a naturally quiet guy, a leader by example. Burleson loved to talk. I’d expect Johnson to open up a bit and have Golden Tate step in as a more vocal leader. His Super Bowl ring should give him immediate respect. Defensively there’s no one quite like Delmas who was always talking and exceptionally loud. Mathis was a great fit as an experienced veteran who could still play. Look for Glover Quin and Chris Houston to step up as leaders in the secondary. Will also be interesting to see if Ndamukong Suh carries the torch again this season after he was elected a captain last year. He got off to a slow start missing the start of the voluntary offseason program.

3. What is the health situation for Ryan Broyles, Ezekiel Ansah and others?

Ansah had shoulder surgery in February and is not expected to participate in the offseason program. Wide receiver Ryan Broyles is not quite five months out from surgery to repair his torn Achilles. A six- to nine-month recovery time is common for that type of surgery. He’s a quick healer so we’ll see. Also Calvin Johnson had finger surgery and minor knee surgery. Nate Burleson said in January that Johnson had been basically playing with nine fingers. Will be interesting to see how he does with 10. Martin Mayhew hinted at the Combine that other players underwent surgery, but he wouldn’t name names.

4. How will Matthew Stafford react to his three new coaches?

This is basically a no-brainer. Stafford works hard, wans to win and should adjust quickly. Caldwell and quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter have worked with Peyton Manning, while offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has spent the last five seasons as quarterbacks coach for Drew Brees and the Saints. Caldwell said the three will speak with one voice so there will be no mixed messages for Stafford. Can’t argue that their methods have found success. No need for Stafford to find a quarterback guru — he now has three of them. Also look for Dan Orlovsky and Kellen Moore to benefit.

5. Many youngsters have much to prove, can they shine at minicamp and OTAs?

Most will make it to training camp, but don’t downplay the urgency of impressing a mostly new coaching staff. Many of the inexperienced players will get a clean slate that includes cornerbacks Chris Greenwood and Jonte Green; linebackers Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis; place kickers John Potter and Giorgio Tavecchio; and wide receivers Jeremy Ross, Corey Fuller and Pat Edwards. Running back Mikel Leshoure is in a bit of a different category, but there could be more opportunities for him in the Lions’ new offense after he saw limited time in 2013.